Factory Tours Are Fun And Free!

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

11 Jan 2007 03:58 PM

One of the most overlooked form of family fun is the factory tour. From watching a chip flip to witnessing marshmallow peeps being born, kids and adults will be fascinated during this great family activity.

My family and I have visited many factory tour programs, and we have always had a great time. The tours are usually very kid-friendly and family oriented. Tour guides have always been super nice, and the factories are eager to show off their stuff. Free samples are almost always given. Ever eat a potato chip hot from the fryer? Yummy!

Most of the tours are absolutely free, making the factory tour one of the best-kept frugal secrets around. While some tours do charge a fee, these tours are the exception, not the rule.

You can find many different factory tours around the country, as there is usually something being made, assembled or engineered near you. Of course some industrial areas, such as Pittsburgh, Pa, can boast more tours than average.

A good way to find tours is through regional parenting and family magazines or by searching online. Very often, you can find a spontaneous or unadvertised tour by simply calling the factory and asking. Most are happy to oblige you with a tour. Last year, we toured a piano works not too far from us this way.

Some factories have regular scheduled dates and times for tours, while other factories are more spontaneous. Some require that you make an appointment, while others don't mind if you just show up at the door.

Don't expect to see every bit of the operation when you visit a tour. After all, the companies must retain some of their secrets. And, some areas may just not be safe enough to tour.

In a typical tour, you will have a guide that will walk you through the various areas of the factory, explaining things and answering questions. You may walk through to different buildings, so it pays to ask about that if the weather is bad. Many tours are handicap accessible, but not all.

I'll be starting a series of blogs on the various free and low cost factory tours available to you across the country. I'll list all of the important basics, but I'll need your help. Have you been to a factory tour? I'd love to know what you thought of it and if you have any insider tips.

Related Articles:

The Families.com Travel Blog

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

View Full Profile | More from this Blogger

Julie Gentry (5915) 11 Jan 2007 06:56 PM

Great article, Mary Ann! I totally agree. When we were in CA, we toured the Jelly Belly factory a dozen times. It never got old. One of the most interesting places we toured was the Budweiser factory (in Fairfield near Jelly Belly). Lest anyone get the wrong idea, I'm a teetotaler. It was the *PROCESS* that was so interesting. We also loved the Harry & David tour in Medford, OR. Next on our list is the Almond Roca factory in Tacoma, WA :-).

Mary Ann Romans (26876) 12 Jan 2007 04:46 AM

Julie, Were the clysdale horses at the Budweiser Factory? I saw them at the Big E (expo), and they were huge!

Julie Gentry (5915) 12 Jan 2007 11:24 AM

Ooh, I wish! No, it was just the factory. My daughter said it reminded her of Laverne & Shirley :-).

Mary Ann Romans (26876) 13 Jan 2007 03:57 AM

Did you do the "Schmele, Schmazel? from the opening credits?

Julie Gentry (5915) 14 Jan 2007 03:35 AM

Ha ha! No, because one of my friends told me it's not a nice thing to say. She wouldn't elaborate. lol. Does anyone know what it really means?

Mary Ann Romans (26876) 14 Jan 2007 04:51 AM

Yes, now I'm curious! I thought it was just the names of the producers of the show. Can anyone enlighten us?